[Therapeutic perspectives in the treatment of stable angina]

Five groups of drugs are presently available to reduce the symptoms associated with angina pectoris: beta-blockers, calcium channel antagonists, nitrates, potassium channel agonists and trimetazidine. beta-blockers remain the drugs of first strategy since they are unique in reducing major cardiac events. Angiogenesis and gene therapy are still in the field of research. The second therapeutic goal is to reduce cardiovascular morbi-mortality. Inhibitors of platelet aggregation, hypolipemic agents and converting enzyme inhibitors have proved their efficacy in these fields. Conversely, vitamins C, E and B, antibiotics against intra-cellular germs and substitutive hormonotherapy of post-menopausal women must yet prove their efficacy.